Checking pregnancy status is crucial for individuals seeking to confirm or rule out a pregnancy. It involves various methods, including home pregnancy tests, blood tests, and physical examinations by a healthcare professional.
Home pregnancy tests are readily available over-the-counter and provide a convenient way to check for pregnancy in the privacy of one’s own home. These tests detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy, in urine samples. Blood tests, conducted in a medical setting, can also detect hCG levels, offering higher sensitivity and accuracy than home pregnancy tests. Physical examinations by a doctor or midwife involve checking for physical signs of pregnancy, such as changes in the cervix and uterus.